34 replies to this topic

[IrishHeart]

I had skin BURNING and an insane itching -drive -yourself -mad skin issue including red blisters, canker sores and small oozing red bumps on my scalp.

My very celiac-savvy GI doctor said:

"There are many kinds of celiac rashes and they are not all full-blown DH. The burning was possibly a pre-cursor of the blistering rash of DH and your skin was affected"

All I know is I was bright red from head to toe and felt like I was on fire for 3 years.

DH manifests for YEARS in the skin layers.

but, yes, this intense itching could very well could be a part of celiac.

There are many skin conditions associated with celiac disease:
Chronic Urticaria (Hives) and Keratosis Pilaris for example.


http://celiacdisease...-Many-Forms.htm


and yes, it could be dry skin. But is it Flaky? if not, that's not it.

I get itching and burning sensations any time I get glutened.

By all means, have yourself tested for allergies, just in case.

Shingles is neuropathic pain and you would be crying and in agony if you had that.

[squirmingitch]

Thanks Squirmy!

I never said "it is" only "if it is".

YVW. And I totally understood what you said. You make yourself clear when you post. Just as I said it's possible it is; not *it is* but some people don't understand what they read.

[psawyer]

I don't think its a part of Celiac, but maybe in association of a compromised system, or
DH itself. Liver enzymes can be out of wack due to Celiac. It can be very common with a diagnosis (some can itch, others not). Meds, could also be a cause. Blood pressure meds or cholesteral meds could also be a player. Simply easy scratching can leave whelps. Add a cool compress to the agitated area.

My DH manifested as intense itching beyond anything I ever imaged before the rash appeared. I do not know if this is normal or not, but it is what happened to me. Best of luck with the doctor.

I blew through about half a bottle a day, and didn't find that it relieved the itching completely but I did find that Calamine lotion helped take the edge off enough that I wasn't driven criminally insane. It must be pink and not clear. Have you tried Benadryl? I don't know if it will help or not, but I don't see how it can hurt.

It is possible that there may be other causes for itching? I understand that there is a common theme here connecting DH with Celiac, but there are others causes,too. I am currently undergoing a variety of options, as I stated earlier.

Multiple other causes for itching do exist. But with a confirmed diagnosis of celiac disease it would be reasonable to connect the dots and think that that Dermatitis Herpetiformis, a manifestation of celiac disease that presents in the skin, would be the cause.

[Findin my way]

For me - soaking in a tub of epsom salt and baking soda calms the itch to tolerable levels.

My first thought was low magnesium. It can cause itching. That would explain why your epsom salt baths help. Epsom salts are magnesium sulfate.

[GottaSki]

My first thought was low magnesium. It can cause itching. That would explain why your epsom salt baths help. Epsom salts are magnesium sulfate.

The epsom is for sore joints and muscles - the baking soda is for the itchies.

[Findin my way]

The epsom is for sore joints and muscles - the baking soda is for the itchies.

Sorry 'bout that. I was pretty tired when I wrote that. I didn't mean for the statement to be definitive, more speculative. Meaning that the epsom salts MAY have helped some IF your magnesium was low.

[GottaSki]

Sorry 'bout that. I was pretty tired when I wrote that. I didn't mean for the statement to be definitive, more speculative. Meaning that the epsom salts MAY have helped some IF your magnesium was low.

No worries...it is a valid thought -- most of us are low on many nutrients

[sisterlynr]

Wow, there are many issues that can cause itchy skin w/o rash. My Dad had renal failure and would sit for hours rubbing his skin with those bath gloves. I wouldn't assume it as DH without seeing a rash. I have had Shingles and believe me they are usually along a nerve run and look like Chicken Pox . . . itchy but very sore to touch due in part to the nerve pain. . .

[IrishHeart]

Same thing with my Dad. He scratched himself silly. No visible rash.
He was surely an unDxed celiac, given his many symptoms of severe anemia
requiring transfusions, GI problems, etc.......
but he also went into renal failure near the end of his life and one of the complications is insanely itchy skin.
No topicals worked for him at all. Poor guy.

[GottaSki]

I happen to be experiencing major week of itch -- this morning I woke up with a great big DOH!!!

My folks have a new washing machine that they do not wish to use their old supply of liquid tide, so I brought it home to use it up.

We use inexpensive Kirkland powdered detergent -- just under a week ago I put sheets on my bed that I had washed in the liquid detergent -- DOH!! Hoping a sheet change and re-washing a couple loads will remove the incessant itching -- I'm tired of baking soda baths!

Here is an interesting article with regard to itch & pain:

http://www.hopkinsme...aters_explained

[squirmingitch]

Very interesting article Lisa. Thanks for posting that.


And our OP said she was going to the doc on Wednesday. Today's Thursday. Any news OP? How are you doing?

[jeanzdyn]

Okay, I saw the nurse practitioner, but by that time, with legs itching also, it was showing up as a serious rash and it is eczema.... but it had to manifest the rash-like red areas for that to be apparent. at first it was just a mild rash on my belly, but that cleared up as the legs (mostly below the knee on the back of the calf) began to itch.

The only medications I take are asthma meds. I have no other conditions that require prescription medicine.
I take a variety of vitamin supplements, all labelled as gluten-free.

I have an appointment to see a dermatologist in a couple of weeks.

The nurse practitioner prescribed (a corticosteroid) mometasone furoate cream, which (naturally) has a positively horrifying list of adverse reactions, not to mention ingredients that give me pause.... but I am giving it a try, having applied the second dose (one application a day). My legs still itch, but I have discovered that gently rubbing them makes them feel better for a few minutes at a time.
But I am trying to not touch the affected area too much.

I have found all of your replies interesting and somewhat helpful.... thank you all. I will return with more information as the condition changes.

[cavernio]

A few things:

1. Well, you already saw someone and a rash has developed, but if you feel bad otherwise, getting your liver checked out isn't a bad idea.
2. I don't have any DH per se, but I get itchy mildly skin especially during the winter. So far this year (first year being gluten-free), it's much better. I do get occasional itchy bumps on my forearms, but only ever 1 at a time, and happens maybe once a month. That has developed over the past few years.
3. My sister has had serious eczema most of her life. She knows a few things that have pretty immediate effects on it; yellow food dies (tartrazine for sure, maybe others) and oats are things which come to mind. You may have other food allergies/intolerances causing it.

[jeanzdyn]

I was given a prescription of Mometasone Furoate Cream 0.1%. That helped a great deal. After 2 weeks the skin in the affected areas is still pinker than the surrounding skin, but no more itch after the second day's application. I was also advised to take an antihistamine, and have been doing that also.
I have an appointment with a dermatologist, later in January.


This started as severe itching on my stomach, above the belly button. Then it switched to the lower legs, not exactly 'symmetrical', but my lower legs are where the red 'rash' appeared and both legs are still very pink, but not itching at all at this time.

The only medications I take are for asthma, I am not on any kind of cholesterol meds, no thyroid problems at all (ever), no diabetes, the only conditions I am aware of as of this writing are the asthma and the celiac disease.

[mushroom]

I use the mometasone furoate for my psoriasis. It works wonders!